Using Debt Collection Agency for unpaid rent

[Cem]

Here's I look at it.

If it were you who wanted to locate the tenant (who owes you money) and you requested the info. from a company who you knew had dealings with your tenant, would they give up this info? Doubt it!

[Planner]

I thought debt collection letters addressed to the "Occupier" where against OFT debt collection regs?! I would be ringing trading standards rather than the debt collectors, unless of course you want to shop the former tenant.

[Pelican eats pigeon]

I thought debt collection letters addressed to the "Occupier" where against OFT debt collection regs?! I would be ringing trading standards rather than the debt collectors, unless of course you want to shop the former tenant.

They can be occasionally useful, though. Neither my Landlord at the time nor I as a tenant had any idea the Bradford and Bingley were repossessing one of the previous properties I rented till one of these came through. We'd been passing all his post to the agent, but for some reason, they'd decided to put it all in a nice large folder and neglect to give it to him.

Cue much frantic scrabbling around on landlord's part.

[Fozzy]

Debt Collection

Can any help on this matter?

The tenants abandoned the property in August, owing rent of approx £800. The property has now been secured, notice left in the window to claim their remaining belongings etc. They have left me with a repairs to do which has cost me approx £1200. The tenants have appeared to have split up and one is known to live in the next town.

Can a debt collection agency be useful to reclaim the rent and repairs? Or is it better to go via the small claim court.

Many thanks.

[sparkie]

Debt collection agency- please recommend

Anyone used a one, with good results?

I think I'm gonna need one, so would be good to have a really good one on hand. Maybe even a no collect, no fee one if they exist.

thanks in advance

[PaulF]

What's wrong with the courts?

[jeffrey]

What's wrong with the courts?

Pin back your lug-holes; how long have you got?

[MetropolitanAnthony]

Avoid "First Locate" www.1stlocate.com

[PI Guy]

i can personally recommend;

Personal Information

Name: Steve White Location: Pontyclun, United Kingdom Email Address: steve.thornbury@tesco.net Telephone Number: 01443 224407 Website Address: http://www.thornburycollections.co.uk

[jax2503]

Hi,

I can recommend SLC Collections, they operate a big door to door collectors area. A few of the guys there are also landlords so it does help that they realise that we are all not moneyless pits. They done a few deals for me and collects the debts fairly well. They will also issue the court papers on your behalf and assist with other things outwith there remit. They also offer a credit checking service. The guy there I deal with is Derek, his telephone number is 0191 616 6888

Lastly just when thinking the last 2 debts that they done for me they got the tenants a loan and released the funds in full to myself, so was a nice quick result.

If you need any details on them let me know.

Jax

[redex]

Anyone used a one, with good results?

I think I'm gonna need one, so would be good to have a really good one on hand. Maybe even a no collect, no fee one if they exist.

thanks in advance

Didn't think such a thing existed, if there are any they certainly know nothing about the job and or about the can and can't dos'.

They all seem to have there own little laws that apply to no one else and are expert liars.

Haven't really had any dealings with these people as I don't like their manner very much.
I think any one that was to be mentioned here someone could put you off, best of luck.

[mind the gap]

Didn't think such a thing existed, if there are any they certainly know nothing about the job and or about the can and can't dos'.

They all seem to have there own little laws that apply to no one else and are expert liars.

Haven't really had any dealings with these people as I don't like their manner very much.
I think any one that was to be mentioned here someone could put you off, best of luck.

We see your point, as through a glass darkly...

[Rodent1]

i can personally recommend;

Personal Information

Name: Steve White Location: Pontyclun, United Kingdom Email Address: steve.thornbury@tesco.net Telephone Number: 01443 224407 Website Address: http://www.thornburycollections.co.uk

I have also used these guys, extremely good and personalised service.
They will explain how you pay nothing for service ..the T pays

The Rodent

[Rodent1]

Didn't think such a thing existed,

Yep and some very good and efficient ones at that!

if there are any they certainly know nothing about the job and or about the can and can't dos'.
They all seem to have there own little laws that apply to no one else and are expert liars.

Wow ..these pearls of wisdom are no doubt based on the fact that:

1. You don't know they exist
2. As below:You have never had any dealings with any", never even heard of them probably and you yourself clearly dont know the first thing about them, the "rules" they operate under(licensed) or how they operate ??

Haven't really had any dealings with these people as I don't like their manner very much.

I think any one that was to be mentioned here someone could put you off, best of luck.

I would end with thanks for a completely ridiculous post BUT
you have made a very strong point, it is this:

The vast majority of people(like you) have a knee jerk, adverse reaction from preconceived ideas about the involvement of a Debt Collector, and a T with one on their case reacts just like you ...and wants absolutely NOTHING to do with one ....and so the very threat of using one sorts out arrears 99% of the time on the first hurdle !

If T is a bit more reticent to pay his dues, then hand over to DC (with T picking up collection fees) and this starts to get mighty expensive(for T-but with due warning) and T usually pays up on first contact from DC (by letter not a bit of 4bi2- contrary to popular opinion!!!)

Anyone considering using a DC ( a proper licensed one i mean, not Mr baseball bat and brother iron bar- fresh out of the steroid shop ) will find the above mentioned extremely open helpful and almost certainly fruitfull.
(i have no interest or connection with them other than being a happy client and knowing several other HC's)

Redex, in short your post was irresponsible, to say the least, as you clearly have NO IDEA what you are talking about.

I have posted on this topic at great length in the past, search for "debt collector" on this forum for some long and interesting threads on the subject.

I have in excess of 100 T at any time and have NEVER had to take any legal action, or go to court in my 15 years of being a LL. This used correctly as part of a properly thought out management system, is infinitely easier, quicker, cheaper, less stressful(to both LL and T) and far more efficient in everyway.

Being a LL is being in business, any one care to come up with any "proper business" that doesn't use /have a debt collection agency/dept/credit control dept etc ....

Bt,Bgas, cc co's just to get you started.

Question is : Why would you want to skip this vital step out of Debt Management and protract a situation to ridiculous time scales and costs by going straight to court ...and almost certainly increase T debt to an impossible amount that they REALLY cant pay ?

There are far easier and more sensible solutions to the problems that plague these boards on a daily basis.

I explain to my T wha will happen ...if you dont pay on time that's fine, but it wil become very expensive very quickly and here's why and how ........
This BEFORE they sign any AST...

The Rodent

[sparkie]

Thanks to everyone who has responded with constructive advice and recommendations. Its very much appreciated